Airflow system for bagless vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

A bagless vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a suction nozzle for picking up dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned and a canister assembly including a cavity. A dust collection assembly is received and held in that cavity. The dust collection assembly includes a filtering subassembly and a dust container. The dust container has an open top, a bottom wall, a first cylindrical sidewall, an inlet, and a downwardly directed outlet extending through the bottom wall. An airstream conduit is provided for conveying a vacuum airstream between the suction nozzle and the inlet. A suction fan and suction fan drive motor carried on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly generates the vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and debris through the suction nozzle, the airstream conduit and the dust container.

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/380,604 filed 5 Sep. 2003 which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/237,832, filed Oct. 3, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the vacuum cleaner art, and,more particularly, to a bagless vacuum cleaner incorporating a novel airflow system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A recent consumer products trend has resulted in a rapid increase in thepopularity of bagless upright vacuum cleaners. Such vacuum cleaners areequipped for bagless operation and generally incorporate a washable andrigid dust container or cup for collecting intermediate and largerparticles of dirt and debris and a second, upstream corrugated paper,porous foam or like filter or filter cartridge for collecting smallerdirt and dust particles. The intermediate and larger particles of dirtand debris are collected in the dust container or cup usually byestablishing a vortex airstream therein which allows the heavierparticles to be separated from the airstream and collected in the bottomof the container or cup. Generally, the container or cup is made fromtransparent or translucent material so that the operator may observe the“cyclonic” cleaning action. This seems to add significantly to thecustomer satisfaction with the product. Of course, the transparent ortranslucent container or cup also allows the operator to confirm whenthe cup or container is nearing capacity. At that time the vacuumcleaner may be switched off and the cup or container removed foremptying into a garbage can or other appropriate dirt receptacle.

While many available designs exist for bagless vacuum cleaners it shouldbe appreciated that further improvements in design includingimprovements in air flow so as to provide more cleaning power and moreefficient operation are still desired. The present invention meets thisgoal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with thepurposes of the present invention as described herein, an improvedbagless vacuum cleaner is provided. The bagless vacuum cleaner includesa nozzle assembly having a suction nozzle for picking up dirt and debrisfrom a surface to be cleaned and a canister assembly including a cavity.The bagless vacuum cleaner also includes a dust collection assembly.That dust collection assembly includes a filtering subassembly and adust container. The dust container has an open top, a bottom wall and afirst cylindrical sidewall. The container also includes an inlet that inat least one embodiment is directed tangentially with respect to thefirst cylindrical sidewall in order to establish a vortex airstream toallow efficient cleaning action. Still further, the dust containerincludes a downwardly directed outlet which extends through the bottomwall of the container. The bagless dust collection assembly is receivedand held in the cavity in the canister assembly.

The bagless vacuum cleaner further includes an airstream conduit forconveying a vacuum airstream between the suction nozzle and the inlet.Additionally, a suction fan and suction fan drive motor is carried oneither the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. The suction fan andcooperating suction fan drive motor function to generate the vacuumairstream for drawing dirt and debris through the suction nozzle, theairstream conduit and the dust container.

More specifically describing the invention, the dust container includesa second cylindrical sidewall concentrically received within the firstcylindrical sidewall so that at least a portion of the dust container isannular. This second cylindrical sidewall defines an exhaust pathwaywhich is provided in fluid communication with the outlet.

The filtering subassembly includes a main body and a cooperating coverdefining a primary filter cavity. A primary filter is positioned in theprimary filter cavity. The primary filter divides the primary filtercavity into an intake chamber and a discharge chamber. The primaryfilter may take the form of an annular corrugated filter made from paperor other natural and/or synthetic fiber materials appropriate for theintended purpose.

The main body of the filter subassembly includes a downwardly dependingexhaust conduit which provides fluid communication between the dischargechamber and the exhaust pathway leading to the outlet. Additionally, themain body includes a first conical wall around the intake chamber.

A prefilter is carried on the main body. The prefilter extendsconcentrically around the exhaust conduit but is spaced therefrom so asto form an intake channel between the prefilter and the exhaust conduit.The intake channel is provided in fluid communication with the intakechamber. The prefilter may take the form of a cylindrical open-endedscreen.

An air current guide may be carried on the main body adjacent theprefilter. The air current guide extends between the prefilter and thesecond cylindrical sidewall. The air current guide includes a disc-likeseparator and at least one downwardly depending air current guide vane.

Once fully assembled a first gap having a width W₁ is formed between theprefilter and the first cylindrical sidewall of the dust container.Further, the inlet includes a diameter D₁. The diameter D₁ is ≦the widthW₁. In a typical embodiment, diameter D₁ is between about 30-35 and thewidth W₁ is between about 34 mm-36 mm. Additionally, a second gap havinga width W₂ between about 12 mm-16 mm is provided between an outer edgeof the separator and the first cylindrical sidewall.

The vacuum cleaner also includes a filter clicker carried on the coverof the filtering subassembly. The filter clicker includes a cleaningelement having at least one projecting lug and an actuator for rotatingthe cleaning element relative to the primary filter. The primary filterpreferably includes a frame for supporting the corrugated filtermaterial. A series of projecting tabs extend from the frame. Theprojecting lug on the cleaning element engages the series of projectingtabs on the frame vibrating the frame and filter material held by theframe and thereby cleaning dirt from the primary filter when theactuator is manually manipulated.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention a methodis provided for directing airflow through a bagless vacuum cleanerwherein that vacuum cleaner includes a primary filter and a dustcontainer having an inlet and an outlet. The method includes the stepsof directing the airflow from the inlet around the dust container,drawing the airflow upwardly through the primary filter and dischargingthe airflow downwardly through the outlet by passing the airflow througha discharge conduit extending through a bottom wall of the dustcontainer.

In addition, the present invention may be broadly described as relatingto a novel bagless upright vacuum cleaner also providing beltlessoperation. The bagless upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assemblyhaving a suction nozzle for picking up dirt and debris from a surface tobe cleaned and a canister assembly pivotally mounted to the nozzleassembly and including a control handle. The upright vacuum cleaner alsoincludes a washable dust container providing a bagless means forcollecting dirt and debris cleaned from the surface. Additionally, anagitator is held in the nozzle assembly. A beltless agitator drive motorcarried on the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly is provided fordriving the agitator and lifting dirt and debris from the surface. Asuction fan and beltless suction fan drive motor carried on the nozzleassembly or the canister assembly generates a vacuum airstream fordrawing dirt and debris through the suction nozzle into the dustcontainer.

Still other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent to those skilled in this art from the following descriptionwherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of thisinvention simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suitedto carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention iscapable of other different embodiments and its several details arecapable of modification in various, obvious aspects all withoutdeparting from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptionswill be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of thisspecification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention, andtogether with the description serves to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the nozzle assembly of thevacuum cleaner showing the agitator and agitator drive arrangement.

FIG. 2 a is a detailed cross-sectional view through the agitator;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the dust collection assemblyincorporated into the vacuum cleaner of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dust collection assembly; and

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are cutaway, cross-sectional views through thecanister assembly showing the latch handle in the unlatched and latchedpositions respectively.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodimentof the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 showing the vacuum cleaner 10 of thepresent invention. It should be appreciated that while an upright vacuumcleaner 10 is illustrated, embodiments of the present invention alsoinclude canister vacuum cleaners incorporating a dust collectionassembly 12 of the nature that will be described in detail below.

The upright vacuum cleaner 10 illustrated includes a nozzle assembly 16and a canister assembly 18. The canister assembly 18 further includes acontrol handle 18 and a hand grip 22. The hand grip 22 carries a controlswitch 24 for turning the vacuum cleaner on and off. Of course,electrical power is supplied to the vacuum cleaner 10 from a standardelectrical wall outlet through a cord (not shown).

At the lower portion of the canister assembly 18, rear wheels 26 areprovided to support the weight of the vacuum cleaner 10. A second set ofwheels 27 allow the operator to raise and lower the nozzle assembly 16through selective manipulation of the height adjustment switch 28. Sucha height adjustment mechanism is well known in the art and isexemplified, for example, by the arrangement incorporated into theKenmore Progressive Vacuum Cleaner presently in the marketplace. Toallow for convenient storage of the vacuum cleaner 10, a foot latch (notshown) functions to lock the canister assembly 18 in an upright positionas shown in FIG. 1. When the foot latch is released, the canisterassembly 18 may be pivoted relative to the nozzle assembly 16 as thevacuum cleaner 10 is manipulated to-and-fro to clean the floor.

The canister assembly 18 includes a cavity 32 adapted to receive andhold the dust collection assembly 12. Additionally, the canisterassembly 18 carries a suction fan 34 and suction fan drive motor 35.Together, the suction fan 34 and its cooperating drive motor 35 functionto generate a vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and debris from thesurface to be cleaned. While the suction fan 34 and suction fan drivemotor 35 are illustrated as being carried on the canister assembly 18,it should be appreciated that they could likewise be carried on thenozzle assembly 16 if desired.

The nozzle assembly 16 includes a nozzle and agitator cavity 36 thathouses a rotating agitator brush 38. The agitator brush 38 shown isrotatably driven by a motor 40 and cooperating gear drive 42 housedwithin the agitator and described in greater detail below (see FIGS. 2and 2 a). In the illustrated vacuum cleaner 10, the scrubbing action ofthe rotary agitator brush 38 and the negative air pressure created bythe suction fan 34 and drive motor 35 cooperate to brush and beat dirtand dust from the nap of the carpet being cleaned and then draw the dirtand dust laden air from the agitator cavity 36 to the dust collectionassembly 12. Specifically, the dirt and dust laden air passes seriallythrough a suction inlet and hose and/or an integrally molded conduit inthe nozzle assembly 16 and/or canister assembly 18 as is known in theart. Next, it is delivered into the cyclonic dust collection assembly 12(described in greater detail below) which serves to trap the suspendeddirt, dust and other particles inside while allowing the now clean airto pass freely through to the suction fan 34, a final filtrationcartridge 48 and ultimately to the environment through the exhaust port50.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 2 a which show the mounting of theagitator motor 40 and associated gear drive 42 in the agitator 38 indetail. As shown, the agitator 38 is mounted for rotation relative tothe nozzle assembly 16. Specifically, a first end of the agitator 38includes an end cap 52 which is supported on bearings 54 on a stub shaft55 held in mounting block 56 keyed into slot 58 in the side of thenozzle assembly 16. An end cap 60 at the opposite end of the agitator 38is supported on bearings 62 mounted on the housing 64 of the motor 40.As should be appreciated, the motor 40 is fixed to the nozzle assembly16 by means of the mounting block 66 fixed to the motor housing 64 andkeyed in the slot 68 in the side of the nozzle assembly.

The motor 40 drives a shaft 70 including gear teeth 72. The drive shaft70 extends through a bearing 74 held in the hub 76 of the planetary gearset carrier 78. In the most preferred embodiment a fan 80 is keyed orotherwise secured to the distal end of the drive shaft 70.

The planetary gear set carrier 78 includes three stub shafts 82 thateach carry a planetary gear 84. Each of the planetary gears 84 includeteeth that mesh with the gear teeth 72 of the drive shaft 70.Additionally, the planetary gears 82 mesh with the teeth of an annulargear 86 that is fixed to the agitator motor housing 64 by pin or othermeans. Thus, it should be appreciated that as the drive shaft 70 isdriven by the motor 40, the planetary gears 84 are driven around theannular gear 86, thereby causing the planetary gear set carrier 78 torotate.

Planetary gear set carrier 78 also includes a drive ring 88 andassociated rubber drive boot 87 which includes a series of spacedchannels 89 that receive and engage axial ribs 91 projecting inwardlyradially from the inner wall of the agitator 38. Thus, the rotation ofthe planetary gear set carrier 78 is transmitted by the drive ring 88and drive boot 87 directly to and causes like rotation of the agitator38. The rubber drive boot 87 provides the necessary damping to insurethe smooth transmission of power to the agitator. Simultaneously withthe rotation of the planetary gear set carrier 78 and agitator 38, thedrive shaft 70 also drives the fan 80 at a ratio of between 4-1 to 10-1and most preferably 6-1 with respect to the agitator 38. The resultingrapid rotation of the fan 80 helps to ensure proper cooling of theagitator motor 40 during its operation.

The dust collection assembly 12 will now be described in detail. Thedust collection assembly 12 includes a filtering subassembly generallydesignated by reference numeral 100 and a dirt collection vessel or dustcontainer 102. Dust container 102 includes an open top 104, a bottomwall 106 and a first cylindrical sidewall 108. An inlet 110 is showndirected tangentially with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 108. Inthis orientation, the inlet 110 promotes the formation of a vortexairstream as described in greater detail below. It should beappreciated, however, that substantially any other inlet orientationcould be utilized.

A downwardly directed outlet 112 extends through the bottom wall 106. Asecond or inner cylindrical sidewall 114 is concentrically receivedwithin the first cylindrical sidewall 108 so that at least a portion ofthe dust container 102 is annular. As best shown in FIG. 3, the secondcylindrical sidewall 114 defines an exhaust passageway 116 provided influid communication with the outlet 112.

The filtering subassembly 100 includes a main body 118 and a cooperatingcover 120. Together the main body 118 and cooperating cover 120 define aprimary filter cavity 122. A primary filter 124 is positioned in theprimary filter cavity 122 and divides that cavity into an intake chamber126 and a discharge chamber 128. In one embodiment, the primary filter124 is an annular corrugated filter made from paper or other naturaland/or synthetic fiber material with each of the corrugations held by aplastic frame 130. That frame 130 includes a series of upwardlyprojecting tabs 132 radially arranged about the primary filter 124.

The main body 118 includes a downwardly depending exhaust conduit 134providing fluid communication between the discharge chamber 128 and theexhaust pathway 116 leading to the outlet 112. As also shown the mainbody 118 includes a frustoconical wall 136 defining the peripheralmargin of the intake chamber 126.

A prefilter 138 is carried on the main body 118 below the frustoconicalwall 136. The prefilter 138 is shown as comprising a cylindricalopen-ended screen which extends concentrically around the exhaustconduit 134 so as to form an intake channel 140 between the prefilter138 and the exhaust conduit 134. Of course, other materials such as aporous plastic could be used for the prefilter. The intake channel 140is provided in fluid communication with the intake chamber 126 throughspaced openings 142 in the base 144 of the main body 118.

As further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an air current guide, generallydesignated by reference numeral 146 is carried by the main body 118adjacent the prefilter 138. The air current guide 146 extends betweenthe prefilter 138 and the second cylindrical sidewall 114 of the dustcontainer 102. As shown the air current guide 146 includes a disc shapedseparator 148 and one or more downwardly depending air current guidevanes 150. The air current guide vane is canted inwardly between 0°-30°from the vertical toward the second cylindrical sidewall 114. Thefunction of the separator 148 and guide vane 150 will be described ingreater detail below.

In operation, dirt and debris lifted by the agitator brush 38 and drawnthrough the suction inlet and hose passes through the inlet 110. Inlet110 directs the air to tangentially flow in a cyclonic path (note actionarrows A in FIG. 3) around the dust container 102. Specifically, the airfirst flows around a prefilter 138 with the heavier debris falling underthe force of gravity toward the bottom of the dust container 102. Theair current guide vane 150 helps maintain smooth, uninterrupted andunturbulent cyclonic flow in order to maximize cleaning action. Further,the inward cant of the guide vane causes dirt and debris entrained inthe airstream A to move toward the center of the dust container 102.This effectively compacts the dirt and debris allowing the dustcontainer to fill to a higher capacity. The largest and heaviest of thedirt and debris entrained in the vacuum airstream delivered into thedust container 102 through the inlet 110 settles to the bottom wall 106of the dust container.

The vacuum airstream now devoid of the relatively larger and heavierdust, debris and particles is drawn through the prefilter screen 138into the intake channel 140. The screen includes pores having a diameterof between substantially 40 μm and 300 μm. Relatively intermediate sizedust, dirt and debris too light to settle to the bottom of the dustcontainer 102 but too large to pass through the prefilter screen 138 isremoved from the vacuum airstream by the prefilter screen. There thismaterial collects and gradually accumulates into a heavier mass whichwill eventually fall under the force of gravity onto the separator 148where it will be displaced by the moving airstream and drop down intothe bottom of the dust container 102.

As best shown by action arrow B, the vacuum airstream moving through theprefilter screen 138 into the intake channel 140 is then drawn throughone of the apertures 142 in the main body 118 into the intake chamber126. From the intake chamber 126 the vacuum airstream is drawn upwardlythrough the primary filter 124 which removes substantially all of theremaining fine dust from the airstream. Next the vacuum airstream isdrawn into the discharge chamber 128. From there the vacuum airstream isredirected downwardly through the exhaust conduit 134 and then theexhaust passageway 116 to the outlet 112. From there the airstreampasses through a foam or sponge rubber filter pad 152 carried at thebottom wall of the cavity 32 in the canister assembly 18. That filterpad 152 covers the inlet to a passageway (not shown) leading to thesuction fan 34. From there the vacuum airstream is exhausted over thesuction fan drive motor 35 to provide cooling and is delivered through asound muffling passageway to the final filtration cartridge 48 and thenit is exhausted through the exhaust port 50.

The flow of the vacuum airstream is carefully shaped and controlledthroughout its passage through the vacuum cleaner 10 in order to ensurethe highest possible cleaning efficiency. Toward this end a first gap154 having a width W₁ of between about 34 mm and 36 mm is providedbetween the prefilter screen 138 and the first cylindrical sidewall 108.The inlet 110 is provided with a diameter D₁ of between about 30 mm and35 mm. In the most preferred embodiment diameter D₁≦the width W₁.

Additionally, a second gap 156 having a width W₂ between about 12 mm and16 mm is provided between an outer edge of the separator 148 and thefirst cylindrical sidewall 108. The width W₂ of the gap 156 must becarefully controlled as it allows the separator 148 to concentrate thevacuum airflow from the inlet 110 in the area of the prefilter screen138 away from the dirt and debris collecting in the bottom of the dustcontainer 102. This is done while simultaneously maintaining asufficiently large gap 156 to allow the free passage of the larger,heavier dirt and dust particles entrained in the airstream into thelower portion of the dust container 102 where they can be collected.

During vacuuming, the dust container 102 will gradually fill with dirtand debris which will also collect on the prefilter screen 138. Further,fine dust particles will be collected on the primary filter 124. Byforming the dust container 102 and the cover 120 of the filteringsubassembly 100 from transparent or translucent plastic material it ispossible to visually monitor and inspect the condition of the dustcontainer and primary filter 124 during vacuuming. Following vacuumingor as otherwise necessary it is easy to dispose of this dirt and debris.Specifically, the vacuum cleaner is turned off and the dust collectionassembly 12 is removed from the cavity 32 in the canister assembly 18.This may be done by lifting and releasing the latch handle 158 (theoperation of which is described in greater detail below) or by simplypulling the dust collection assembly 12 from its nested position if nolatch is provided. The latch handle 158 is pivotally connected to thecover 120 and serves as a simple and convenient means of handling thedust collection assembly 12.

A filter clicker, generally designated by reference numeral 160, allowseasy cleaning of the primary filter 124. More specifically, the filterclicker 160 includes a revolving cleaning element 162 shown with a pairof projecting lugs 164. An exposed actuator 166 is carried on the top ofthe cover 120. The actuator 166 includes a hub 168 which projectsthrough an opening in the cover 120 and engages in a cooperating socketprovided in the cleaning element 162. By manually rotating the actuator166, the cleaning element 162 is likewise rotated and the projectinglugs 164 engage with each of the series of projecting tabs 132 on theframe 130 of the primary filter 124. As the projecting lugs 164resiliently snap past the projecting tabs 132, the corrugated filtermaterial is vibrated shaking the fine dust and dirt particles from theprimary filter 124. Since the projecting tabs 132 are provided aroundthe outer margin of the frame, greater vibration is produced for bettercleaning action. These dust and dirt particles then drop under the forceof gravity and slide down the frustoconical sidewall 136 of the mainbody, pass through the aperture 142 and drop down into the bottom 170 ofthe intake channel 140 where they are captured.

The cover 120 is then removed from the dust container 102 by twisting.When separated the filtering subassembly 100 including the main body118, cover 120, prefilter screen 138 and air current guide 146 staytogether as a unit. As the filtering subassembly 100 and the dustcontainer 102 are separated, the bottom 170 of the intake channel 140opens and the fine dirt and debris that is collected there from thecleaning of the primary filter 124 falls under the force of gravity intothe bottom of the dust container 102. Similarly, any relatively lightdirt and debris remaining on the prefilter screen 138 or the upper ledgeof the separator 148 falls easily to the bottom of the container withminor shaking of the filtering subassembly 100 during its removal fromthe container. The dirt and debris is then dumped from the container 102into a garbage receptacle. The filtering subassembly 100 is thenrejoined with the dust container 102 by twisting the cover 120 onto thethreaded upper end of the dust container 102 and the entire dustcollection assembly 12 is then repositioned in the cavity 32 in thecanister assembly 18 with the inlet 110 in communication with a coupling47 in communication with the hose or other conduit leading to the nozzleand the outlet 112 in communication with the port 113 leading to thesuction fan 34.

As best shown in FIGS. 3, 5 a and 5 b, the latch handle 158 is pivotallyconnected to the cover 120 by opposed stub shafts 200 received incooperating opposed apertures in the cover. Springs 201 bias the latchhandle to the latched position resting flat against the cover 120. Whendisengaged or unlatched, the latch handle 158 may be utilized in themanner of a handle of a pail to conveniently hold and manipulate thedust collection assembly 12. As the dust collection assembly 12 is beingsecured in the cavity 32 the latch handle 158 is utilized to provide apositive connection.

More specifically, the latch handle 158 includes a pair of spaced cams202 that engage a cooperating lip or shoulder 204 on the canisterassembly 18. Thus, as the latch handle 158 is pressed downwardly towardthe cover 120, the cams 202 engage the shoulder 204 thereby forcing thedust collection assembly 12 rearwardly and downwardly. This dual actionfirmly seats the inlet 110 in the coupling 47 and the outlet 112 in theport 113 leading to the suction fan 34. As a result, a good seal isprovided at each connection, vacuum pressure losses are avoided and peakoperating efficiency of the suction fan is insured.

Under certain circumstances, such as after extended heavy duty service,it may become necessary to access the primary filter 124. This isrelatively easily accomplished. More particularly, the main body 118 andthe cover 120 of the filtering subassembly 100 are connected together bymeans of the upstanding mounting flange 170 on the main body whichprovides either a threaded or a fiction fit in the cooperating groove172 of the cover 120. Accordingly, the cover 120 may be pulled from themain body 118 to open the primary filter cavity 122. The primary filter124 is then replaced with a new filter. The cover 120 is thenrepositioned on the main body 118 by inserting the mounting flange 170in the cooperating groove 172 and completing the reconnection.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of this inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible inlight of the above teachings. For example, a back light 180 could beprovided behind the dust collection assembly 12 in the cavity 32 of thecanister assembly 18 to visually enhance monitoring of the airflowand/or dirt level in the dust container 102. The vacuum cleaner 10 couldalso include a bypass valve (not shown) in the airstream conduitupstream from the inlet 110. The valve could be spring loaded to permitonly high velocity air flow into the dust container 102. If desired, aperformance indicator of the type presently found on the Kenmore Model38912 upright vacuum cleaner could be provided in the airstream conduitto give a true indication of vacuum cleaner performance. Further, whilethe vacuum cleaner is described with an agitator drive motor held in theagitator, the drive motor could be positioned outside of the agitator ineither the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly in any mannerdesired.

The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustrationof the principles of the invention and its practical application tothereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the inventionin various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variationsare within the scope of the invention as determined by the appendedclaims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they arefairly, legally and equitably entitled.

1.) An upright vacuum cleaner, comprising a nozzle assembly including asuction nozzle for picking up dirt and debris from a surface to becleaned; a canister assembly pivotally mounted to said nozzle assemblyand including a control handle; a bagless means for collecting dirt anddebris cleaned from said surface, said bagless means including awashable dust container; an agitator held in said nozzle assembly; abeltless agitator drive motor carried on one of said nozzle assembly andsaid canister assembly for driving said agitator and lifting dirt anddebris from said surface; and a suction fan and beltless suction fandrive motor carried on one of said nozzle assembly and said canisterassembly for generating a vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and debristhrough said suction nozzle into said dust container. 2.) An uprightvacuum cleaner, comprising: a nozzle assembly including a suctionnozzle; a canister assembly pivotally mounted to said nozzle assemblyand including a control handle; a dirt collection assembly including abagless dust container held in a cavity on said canister assembly; anagitator held in said nozzle assembly; a beltless agitator drive motorcarried on one of said nozzle assembly and said canister assembly; and asuction fan and beltless suction fan drive motor carried on one of saidnozzle assembly and said canister assembly for generating a vacuumairstream for drawing dirt and debris through said suction nozzle intosaid bagless dust container. 3.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, whereinsaid bagless dust container includes a bottom wall and a cylindricalsidewall. 4.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein said bagless dustcontainer includes a tangentially directed inlet. 5.) The vacuum cleanerof claim 4, wherein said bagless dust container includes an outletextending through said bottom wall. 6.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 5,wherein at least a portion of said bagless dust container is annular.7.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said dust collection assemblyfurther includes a filtering subassembly. 8.) The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 7, wherein said filtering subassembly includes a main body and acooperating cover defining a primary filter cavity. 9.) The vacuumcleaner of claim 8, further including a primary filter positioned insaid primary filter cavity and dividing said primary filter cavity intoan intake chamber and a discharge chamber. 10.) The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 9, wherein said primary filter is an annular corrugated materialfilter. 11.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein said main bodyincludes a frustoconical wall around said intake chamber. 12.) Thevacuum cleaner of claim 11, further including a prefilter carried onsaid main body. 13.) A method of making an upright vacuum cleaner havinga nozzle assembly, a canister assembly, a suction generator and a dirtcollection vessel, comprising: equipping said upright vacuum cleanerwith a bagless dirt collection vessel; and driving a fan of said suctiongenerator and said agitator with a beltless drive mechanism. 14.) Themethod of claim 13, further including providing said dirt collectionvessel with a cylindrical sidewall and a tangentially directed inlet soas to produce air flow in a cyclonic path around said dirt collectionvessel.